Kansas guard Ben McLemore (23) gets a rebound during the first half an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State in the Big 12 men's tournament Friday, March 15, 2013, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Photo By Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

Kansas guard Ben McLemore (23) shoots over West Virginia guard Gary Browne (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, March 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Photo By Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

Kansas guard Ben McLemore (23) passes to a teammate around San Jose State forward Chris Cunningham (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lawrence, Kan., Monday, Nov. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

ARLINGTON — During the past several days, Ben McLemore said he's been trying to listen to the little voice inside of him much more than usual.

McLemore's “me, myself and I” mantra has become more pronounced as he tries to escape from a miserable start to the NCAA tournament.

No. 1 seed Kansas sputtered to two victories over Western Kentucky and North Carolina in the South Region with little production from its scoring leader.

“I haven't played well, but I've tried to clear my head a little, just calm down and relax and told myself to play the game like I always do,” said McLemore, who clanked through a shaky 0-for-9 game against North Carolina on Sunday in the round of 32. “I just have to go out and have fun — just be relaxed.”

Admittedly, the last few games have made it hard for him to be that way. McLemore is shooting 14.7 percent from the field in the tournament and averaging 6.5 points per game.

After ranking second in 3-point accuracy in the Big 12 during the regular season, he's missed all eight of his long-range attempts in the tournament.

After his struggles against the Tar Heels, McLemore watched much of the second half from the bench. While he was out, the Jayhawks responded with a furious rally as they overcame a nine-point halftime deficit in a 70-58 triumph.

It seems that all of Jayhawk Nation has some kind of a suggestion or ego boost for the slumping redshirt freshman heading into Friday's game against Michigan.

Students have stopped him with words of encouragement. Coaches have tweaked with his stroke, trying to spread his hands to provide more shooting arc.

The cacophony led one teammate, senior point guard Elijah Johnson, to worry about “a million things” being said to their leading scorer.

For his part, McLemore has taken his recent struggles in stride.

“I've just spent a lot of time in the gym, shooting to try to get my mojo back,” McLemore said. “I've tried to think positive things rather than negative ones and play like I always did.”

When McLemore is on, he's one of the nation's most transcendent scoring talents. He dropped 36 points against West Virginia this season, 33 against Iowa State and 30 against Kansas State.

Those numbers, as well as his athletic style of play and long-range shooting stroke, have made him likely to be picked among the top five or six players in this year's NBA draft.

With an exceptionally strong class set to arrive next season in Lawrence, he likely would make much more money if he goes pro in June.

“I think he has a lot of things going through his head,” Kansas senior center Jeff Withey said. “He needs not to think about it and just go out and play. When he does that, he's one of the best players in the nation.”

Kansas coach Bill Self always has been bracing for the eventuality that McLemore likely will only stay in his program for one season. And he sees a benefit in him fighting through the rare slump.

“This is all new for him, this attention and stage,” Self said. “And the thing is, tuning out everything is a form of toughness. It's like a batting slump and you've struck out three times in a row. He has to know he's going to get a hit.”

McLemore regaining his confidence could be the most important factor in whether the Jayhawks advance in the tournament.

If he can find his shooting form, it's not a stretch to see Kansas cutting down the nets in Atlanta next weekend.